Prepare for a Praxis® Test: Strategy and Tips

Below are some helpful tips and strategies to help you do your best on the Praxis® tests.

Tips to help you prepare effectively for test day:

1. Learn what the test covers. You can find test specifications for your test(s) in the free Study Companion. Each Study Companion includes a comprehensive overview for the test, with detailed test descriptions and sample questions with answers and explanations to help you prepare.

2. Assess how well you know the content. Research has shown that test takers tend to overestimate their preparedness — this is why some test takers assume they did well and then find out they did not pass.

The Praxis tests are demanding enough to require serious review of likely content, and the longer you've been away from the content the more preparation you will most likely need. If it has been longer than a few months since you've studied your content area, you will want to make a concerted effort to prepare for the Praxis tests.

3. Collect study materials. Obtaining and organizing your materials for review are critical steps in preparing for the Praxis tests. Consider the following reference sources as you plan your study:

Did you take a course in which the content area was covered? If yes, do you still have your book(s) or your notes?

Does your college library have a good introductory college-level textbook in this area?

Does your local library have a high school-level textbook?

Additional test preparation resources are available for many Praxis tests. Check the Prepare for a Test page to see what materials are available for your test.

4. Plan and organize your time. You can begin to plan and organize your time while you are still collecting materials. Allow yourself plenty of time to review so you can avoid "cramming" new material at the end. Here are a few tips:

Work backward from that date to figure out how much time you will need for review.

Set a realistic schedule and stick to it.

5. Develop a study plan. A study plan provides a roadmap to prepare for the Praxis tests. It can help you understand what skills and knowledge are covered on the test and where to focus your attention. A written study plan can help you organize your efforts.

6. Practice explaining the key concepts. The Praxis® Subject Assessment constructed-response tests assess your ability to explain material effectively. As a teacher, you'll need to be able to explain concepts and processes to students in a clear, understandable way. What are the major concepts you will be required to teach? Can you explain them in your own words accurately, completely and clearly? Practice explaining these concepts to test your ability to effectively explain what you know.

7. Understand how questions will be scored. Scoring information can be found in the Study Companion for each test.

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